Researchers have generated a new ring-shaped protein nanomaterial capable of strongly binding to and neutralizing the SARS-CoV2 virus. The system can integrate therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities and be adapted to combat other viruses.
Researchers found high lead concentrations in humans, wild animals, and fish in a remote Peruvian Amazon community. The main sources of contamination were river water used for drinking and cooking, as well as lead ammunition used in subsistence hunting.
A study by ICTA-UAB reveals that non-agricultural sectors absorbed most of the value added in global agri-food systems between 1995 and 2020. The Global South increased its share of agricultural production, but countries of the North still capture a disproportionate share of income from higher-value sectors.
A study by UAB and UdL found that horses can adapt their diet according to breed, environment, and use, reducing fuel loads and maintaining open landscapes. The research suggests that horses could be a valuable resource for fire prevention strategies in Mediterranean landscapes.
Two studies published by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona team reveal how extreme temperatures impact the reproductive process in reptiles and fish. The research found that changes in temperature can increase DNA fragmentation and alter chromosomal structures, leading to increased genetic diversity and adaptation to climate change.
The study used Representational Similarity Analysis (RSA) to investigate the neural representations involved in forming and extinguishing associative memories. Researchers found an increase in theta activity in the amygdala when unpleasant stimuli were presented during extinction learning, suggesting a safety signal.
Researchers found that a pandemic clone of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which causes seafood-related infections, evolved by losing genes involved in putrescine use. This led to stronger biofilms and better human transmission, supporting the virulence trade-off hypothesis.
A new study reveals that a decline in ocean oxygen levels is disrupting mesopelagic fish populations and ecosystems. The findings suggest that these events could destabilize ecological balances, impair the ocean's role in carbon cycling, and threaten marine biodiversity and food security.
A study published in PLOS One found that AI-generated music triggered greater physiological responses and was perceived as more emotionally stimulating compared to human-created music. The complexity of the prompt used also affected the impact of the music, with more complex prompts causing higher cognitive loads.
A comprehensive dataset of proteins participating in liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been created to overcome limitations of existing algorithms. The dataset classifies proteins into drivers and clients, and provides a standard set for training AI systems, enabling more precise computational tools.
A study predicts that Barcelona will experience extreme and dry heat periods with temperature increases of up to 4ºC and a general reduction in relative humidity. The research forecasts an increase in average maximum temperatures of 4ºC and average minimum temperatures of 3.5ºC if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced.
The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to a new gene therapy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a devastating disease with no current effective treatment. The therapy uses a viral vector expressing the secreted isoform of Klotho protein, showing promising results in preclinical studies.
A previously unknown genus and species of Pliocene mole, Vulcanoscaptor ninoti, has been identified in southern Europe. The fossil provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of talpids and suggests past transcontinental migrations of moles.
A report by ICTA-UAB reveals that 40% of Spanish tenants spend more than 30% of their income on housing, with up to 28% experiencing energy poverty. The study highlights the need for coordinated reforms to address housing inequality and improve energy efficiency.
A study from UAB suggests that infants' optimal attention strategy for acquiring new vocabulary involves following the speaker's gaze and focusing on the object, but not mouth or eye movements. This finding offers reassurance about facemasks' impact on language development.
A new study from ICTA-UAB reveals that urban growth can be unsustainable if not managed carefully, with environmental consequences including increased consumption and emissions. The research provides a comparative framework for understanding different approaches to urban growth, highlighting the need for evidence-based solutions.
A new strategy reduces inflammation around neural prosthetics, improving their long-term performance and stability. The approach involves coating electronic implants with a potent anti-inflammatory drug, allowing the body to better tolerate the implant.
Researchers have characterised the human protease SENP5, implicated in various diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The study reveals a positively charged region that prefers SUMO2 binding, opening the way for specific inhibitor design with minimal side effects.
The EU's industrial strategy faces criticism for its contradictions, which risk exacerbating climate, social, energy, and geopolitical crises. A new study calls for a fundamental rebalancing of the policy to prioritize public investment and green economic planning.
A team of scientists has identified a new type of antimicrobial peptide found in human proteins that selectively eliminate multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. The discovery could pave the way for more effective treatments against infections resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of humans using whale bones as tools from 20,000 years ago, shedding light on the marine ecology of the time and the role whales played in past ecosystems. The study identifies five species of large whales used by early humans.
A comprehensive study explores reciprocity with nature worldwide, highlighting its impact on sustainability and social well-being. The research showcases diverse cultural practices that foster reciprocal relationships with nature, offering hope for a more sustainable future.
Subsidies to agriculture, fossil fuels, and other sectors cause significant environmental degradation, threatening biodiversity and public health. The study highlights the urgent need for a transformation of the current economic model to protect nature and ensure well-being.
A recent study reveals that just 100 corporations are behind a fifth of global extractive conflicts, exacerbating environmental and social harms in the Global South. The companies, mainly from the Global North, engage in high-value resource extraction and transport, concentrating wealth while transferring harms to local populations.
The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona is part of the international Tree of Sex project, aiming to create a comprehensive database on reproduction in eukaryotes. The UAB will contribute genomic, transcriptomic, and ecological data to expand upon the original initiative.
Researchers found that Marfan syndrome increases vulnerability to brain damage from reduced oxygen supply and raises the risk of subsequent neurological disorders. The study highlights the importance of recognizing and managing neurological risks in Marfan patients to prevent complications.
Increasing Klotho protein levels in mice extends lifespan and improves both physical and cognitive health when aging. The treatment also enhances muscle, bone, and cognitive health, with potential benefits for osteoporosis prevention and brain function.
Research reveals Nubian women from the Kerma culture (2500-1500 BCE) carried heavy objects and children on their heads daily, using techniques like head straps known as tumplines. This study supports a growing perspective that sees the human body as a biological archive of lived experiences.
A research team from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona has analysed macrolithic tools from Valencina de la Concepción site, revealing a high level of economic sustainability based on cooperation and diversification. The community, occupied for a thousand years, had a diverse economy and maintained stability throughout the Copper Age.
A recent study demonstrates gene therapy's potential to restore motor capacity in an ultra-rare disease, Megalencephalic Leukoencephalopathy with Subcortical Cysts (MLC), even after symptom onset. The treatment restored normal protein activity, normalizing physiological brain alterations and reversing motor impairments in treated mice.
The reuse of human urine could significantly reduce the global demand for fertilizers in agriculture, lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers have developed a system to recover nitrogen from urine, which can be used as fertilizer for urban agriculture.
Researchers have developed a new photopolymerisation reaction controlled by two different colours of light, enabling the creation of solid polymeric materials with resolutions below millimetres. This method allows for precise spatiotemporal control and could improve the performance of 3D printing processes.
Researchers analyzed pottery production and circulation to identify border dynamics between El Argar and neighboring groups. The study reveals asymmetrical relations between the core area of El Argar and its neighbors, with the latter maintaining less centralized social structures.
Researchers have developed a new magnetic state called 'vortion' that can mimic the behavior of neuronal synapses. By controlling this state, they can create energy-efficient and reconfigurable devices with flexible technological demands.
Research highlights differences in genetic risk of schizophrenia between men and women, with men showing a specific association with positive schizotypy traits. The study suggests that environmental factors may modulate the expression of genetic risk differently in men and women.
Researchers analyzed seven severed skulls of men from Puig Castellar and Ullastret sites, revealing different mobility patterns and localisation trends. The study suggests that the nailed heads ritual was not a uniform practice across Iberian communities, but rather varied between settlements.
Researchers discover that tau protein and beta-amyloid, key pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's, affect brain circuits in distinct yet synergistic ways. This study suggests a potential breakthrough in treatment strategies by highlighting the need for dual-targeted therapies.
A recent discovery in the Amazon reveals a unique drainage and irrigation system that enabled the Casarabe society to produce maize throughout the year. This innovation allowed for at least two harvests of maize per year, ensuring a stable food supply.
A study analyzing the brains of women during pregnancy for the first time reveals that 94% of grey matter undergoes changes, particularly in social cognition regions. The research shows a reduction and partial recovery of brain volume, associated with steroid hormone fluctuations and maternal well-being.
A new study identifies five snow leopard fossils in China, France, and Portugal dating back to one million years ago. The findings suggest that snow leopards adapted to rocky, barren terrains rather than high altitudes, contradicting traditional assumptions.
A new study finds growing public support for innovative eco-social policies in the US, including reducing working hours and providing universal basic services. Individuals with higher privilege levels and those engaging in sufficiency behaviors show stronger support for these policies.
A study by UAB researchers found that commercial tea bags release significant amounts of nano-sized particles and nanofilamentous structures when used to brew tea. The particles, made from polymers like nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose, can interact with human intestinal cells and potentially cause harm.
A review of the mechanisms of action and clinical evidence of bioactive compounds from Mediterranean diet constituents shows promise in treating atherosclerosis and reducing heart attack risk. The study identifies potential knowledge gaps and recommends designing preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate these natural extracts.
The study reveals a high degree of technical mastery in the use of animal tendons, reed wood, and birch bark pitch to create bows and arrows. The findings shed new light on Neolithic archery techniques and materials in Europe.
A study found that cerebral stroke in hypertensive animal models impairs artery function and causes structural changes, including thickened walls and increased size. The use of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid provided long-term protection against brain damage.
Researchers analyzed ceramic fragments of husking trays to identify their use as specialized containers for baking cereal-based doughs. The study provides clear evidence regarding the uses of these artifacts and the nature of the foods processed in them.
A new study reveals significant declines in West African coastal fish stocks, with key local species experiencing reduced catches and smaller fish sizes. Local knowledge from fishermen and fishmongers highlights the impact of semi-industrial fishing practices on marine ecosystems.
Researchers from UAB have developed a gene therapy that reverses metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in mice, and most obese and type 2 diabetic patients could benefit from this treatment. The therapy, based on the fibroblast growth factor 21 protein, mediates long-term reversal of liver fibrosis and MASH.
Researchers from the IBB-UAB have developed novel nanoparticles capable of trapping and neutralizing large quantities of SARS-CoV2 virus particles. These nanostructures could be used to manufacture antiviral materials such as wastewater and air filters, and develop new tests for early Covid-19 detection.
Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found a 1.1 ºC temperature increase in the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory over 20 years, more than double predicted by climate models. The study also revealed an increase in diurnal temperature range and seasonal oscillations.